MULTI-TERRAIN

GIBSIDE FRUIT BOWL TRAIL 7, Gibside Estate, Rowlands Gill GARY WALLACE of host club Blackhill Bounders was an emphatic winner despite taking a heavy fall on a downhill section in the early stages of the race, Les Venmore reports.

After the first opening loop of around one and a half miles, Wallace was joined at the head of the field by veteran John Butters, who was fourth last year, and Michael Barker.

Having recovered from the effects of the fall, Wallace, who finished second behind clubmate Jordan Bell last year, started to pull away from his rivals after the halfway point, crossing the finish line 35 seconds ahead of Butters. Barker finished a distant third ahead of Scott Ellis.

In 13th overall, Emma Holt won the women’s race for the second year in a row. Hannah Shillitoe improved on her third from 2014 to take second place, but was five minutes behind the winner. Michelle Avery, the winner in 2013, finished third ahead of the leading veteran, Sarah Lister.